Budget European Carrier EasyJet Gets Into the Long-Haul Flight Game

One of the things that makes traveling within Europe so easy are budget airlines, with EasyJet and RyanAir leading the pack in short-haul flights. Now, EasyJet is making global strides in the low-cost carrier space by launching flights between the U.K. and destinations far and wide, including New York, Los Angeles, Toronto, Buenos Aires, and Singapore.

The new long-haul service, Worldwide by EasyJet, is a collaboration between the U.K.-based carrier and two partners, Norwegian Air and WestJet. Rather than booking typically expensive direct flights, passengers can purchase a low-cost ticket on EasyJet that connects to a Norwegian or WestJet flight from London Gatwick airport. Though the two legs of the trip are operated by different airlines, passengers can buy their tickets in one sweep on EasyJet’s website. And while passengers still need to transfer their own baggage between flights, the BBC confirmed, instead of going from one airline desk to another to recheck bags, they can just go to EasyJet’s designated Gatwick Connects desk.

“With Norwegian’s growing long-haul networks and EasyJet’s extensive European routes, millions more passengers will have the chance to travel to some of the world's top destinations,” said Norwegian’s chief commercial officer Thomas Ramdahl in a press release today, announcing the network of flights.

The new service makes worldwide travel much cheaper, no matter your origin city or intended destination. Not only will it give travelers more accessibility in exploring the U.K. (flights go to regional U.K. airports including Edinburgh, Glasgow, Isle of Man, and Jersey), but it means you don’t have to wait for lucky deals to find cheap flights from JFK, LAX, and O’Hare to hot-ticket spots (round-trip flights from New York to Paris or Rome—with a layover in Gatwick—are currently less than $750). Head to the EasyJet website to see all the destinations available, and start planning your upcoming vacations accordingly.